Gear, Mirrorless, NewsComments Off on Fujifilm Announces the X100V: Major Upgrades to the Beloved Camera

Feb042020

The Fujifilm X100 line is a favorite of many photographers, and today, the company has announced the X100V, the fifth iteration. It comes with some significant upgrades over the X100F; check out what the camera has in store!

I’ve always loved the X100 line; I owned an X100S for several years, and it was probably the most fun (particularly the unique viewfinder) I’ve had with a camera. Over time, the X100 has gone from quirky but capable camera to quite the portable powerhouse. Check out the specs of the new X100V:

Gear, MirrorlessComments Off on The Nikon D6 Is Likely on Its Way Soon Along With Two New Mirrorless Lenses

Feb032020

The Canon 1D X Mark III was recently released with some truly astounding specs, most notably a 20 fps burst rate with the mechanical shutter and 5.5K raw video at 60 fps. Now, attention is turning toward the Nikon camp, as the company prepares to announce the D6, the next iteration of their flagship DSLR.

BSC Expo 2020 in London, and our team had a chance to catch up with Barry from Canon to talk about the brand’s newest flagship camera: the Canon EOS-1D X Mark III. Let’s take a closer look at it!

The newly announced Canon 1D X III. Photo credit: cinema5D

Canon EOS-1D X Mark III – Features

The Canon EOS-1D X Mark III was announced at the beginning of January 2020 during CES 2020. If you’re new to Canon’s latest flagship DSLR camera, here is a quick sum-up of all its features:

The magnesium alloy body houses a Full-Frame 20.1MP CMOS sensor.

With the new DIGIX X processor, the camera is capable of capturing photos at 16 frames per second and 20 frames per second in LiveView mode.

You can shoot videos in 5.5K (5,472 x 2,286) up to 60fps in RAW 12-bit with no crop.

4K DCI up to 60fps in 4:2:2 10-bit in Canon Log using an H.265 / HEVC codec. There is a slight crop in 4K DCI mode, around 256 pixels on each side.

For slow-motion and B-roll lovers, you can record at up to 120 frames per second in FullHD 1080P.

The 1D X Mark III uses CFExpress cards to store your media, and they are two slots for redundancy purposes. Also, you can set the camera to use the first memory slot to record your RAW footage and the second memory slot to store Proxy media.

The Canon EOS-1D X Mark III’s sensor is not stabilized. There is a Movie Digital IS to compensate a bit by cropping in the image.

New AF sensor that covers 90% of the image sensor. Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology is still there, but it doesn’t work in 4K 50P/60P uncropped modes and 5.5K RAW 60P video shooting modes.

Peaking and focus guides are available in video modes.

There is a headphone jack, 3.5mm mini-jack input, and micro HDMI port. You can record externally through the micro HDMI port of the camera in 4K 4:2:2 10bit but you can’t record RAW externally.

Moment, the company specialized in mobile filmmaking, has just introduced two new products: the Moment Variable ND filters for cameras, and a version for DJI Mavic 2 Pro drones. This offer from Moment is their introduction to the “traditional” camera accessories market. Let’s take a closer look at it!

Moment Variable ND Filters for Cameras

A couple of months, Moment released their first ND and CPL filters for smartphones. Today, the team at Moment is back with a combination of the two pieces of glasses, but for cameras. Indeed, they just introduced two sets of variable ND filters for DSLR/Mirrorless and cameras that accept screw-in filters in general.

GearComments Off on Canon to Release ‘EOS R5’ with 45MP Sensor, IBIS, and 8K Video: Report

Jan302020

After 24 hours of back-and-forth, unconfirmed leaks, Canon Rumors is reporting with high confidence that Canon is working on a camera called the EOS R5 with a 45MP sensor, in-body image stabilization, up to 20fps electronic burst, and an insane 8K/30p video mode.

It’s been a confusing week if you’ve been keeping up with the Canon rumor mill. An initial set of specs for the so-called EOS R5 (marked low-confidence) was widely discussed and even mocked, but over the past 24 hours, Canon Rumors seems to have received some sort of confirmation that much of the information is, in their words, “bang on.”

The FUJIFILM X-T200 is the latest entry-level 24.2MP mirrorless camera with 4K video, capable of shooting 1:1 square format HD video and ‘Digital Gimbal’ stabilization. The standard video frame rates, flipped screen, faster autofocus and as a lightweight of only 370 grams, this new model improved in many ways compared to its predecessor.

The latest mirrorless X-mount camera from FUJINON offers up a range of video features ideal for entry-level filmmaking and vlogging including 4K video up to 30p. A new 24.2MP sensor has a faster readout speed than the X-T100 which results in less rolling shutter. The inclusion of 1×1 ‘square’ aspect ratio in HD reflects a trend in shooting content for social media.

GearComments Off on A Review of the Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS Lens

Jan222020

We would all love to have the absolutely astounding supertelephoto primes that the pros use, but with prices well into five figures, they are simply not in the cards for most of us. Luckily, in the last few years, companies have been releasing better and better long zooms at more affordable prices. This great review takes a look at the Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens.

Gear, MirrorlessComments Off on Tokina Expands its Full Frame Lineup with the atx-m 85mm F/1.8 FE Lens

Jan212020

Tokina has released a new lens for Sony E-mount cameras: the Tokina atx-m 85mm F/1.8 FE. This latest addition to the Tokina lineup covers Full-Frame sensors. Let’s take a closer look at this perfect portrait lens for photographers and filmmakers!

Image credit: Tokina

Tokina atx-m Lineup

The Tokina ATX line of lenses is out for a couple of years now, and the most famous one is probably the AT-X 11-16mm F/2.8 wide-angle zoom lens for Super35 cameras. Today, Tokina has just announced the launch of a new lineup of lenses for mirrorless cameras with the Tokina atx-m 85mm F/1.8 FE. According to Tokina, the atx-m series of glasses will be available in various mounts – probably Nikon Z and Canon RF mounts – and new lenses will be announced this year.

I recently got the chance to use the new Hasselblad X1D II for a week. It was my first experience with medium format and required a bit of adapting on a learning curve. Here are my first impressions about the body, design, lenses, and general usability of the camera.

You know the feeling you get when you’re walking down the street and there’s a shiny new Lamborghini parked outside? You pull out your phone and snap a picture to send to your friends. You even look around to see if anyone is around and think to yourself: “how close can I get to it? Should I touch it? I wonder if it’s unlocked? Man, this leather is soft. Why are they putting me in handcuffs? I was just smelling it!?” Just me? Well, I get the same feeling when I see a Hasselblad. To be totally honest, I thought my chances of using a Hasselblad were about the same as getting to joy ride that Lamborghini. When Hasselblad agreed to send me an X1D II and a couple lenses to test out, I was kind of in shock, but obviously jumped at the chance. I’ve always said a camera is a camera is a camera. If you call yourself a photographer, I should be able to give you any camera and you should take a good picture. But there is something to be said about nice gear that inspires creativity. It puts you in a new mindset and excites you. This camera definitely did that for me.

GearComments Off on Laowa 4mm f/2.8 Fisheye Lens Now Available for EF-M-, X- and E-Mount

Jan212020

Venus Optics launched their Laowa 4mm f/2.8 Circular Fisheye lens in three new versions for popular mirrorless cameras. New mounts include Canon EF-M, FUJIFILM X-Mount, and Sony-E. The lens in all its versions is available now for around $199.

In a continued attempt to woo vloggers and travel shooters, Sony today unveiled the GP-VPT2BT: a “wireless shooting grip” for mirrorless cameras that lets users switch seamlessly between shooting video and stills on the run.

The GP-VPT2BT is a “shooting grip with wireless remote commander” that’s compatible with all of Sony’s latest mirrorless cameras—the a9 II, a9, a7R IV, a7R III, a7 III, a6600, a6400, and a6100—as well as the RX100 VII and RX0 II, as long as you’re running the latest firmware. The grip allows you to securely use the camera at arm’s length, while putting control of key camera functions right on the handle.

Gear, MirrorlessComments Off on Is Fuji About to Release the X-T4 and Two Other New Cameras?

Jan152020

It appears that Fuji may have a busy couple of months coming up, with rumors that the X-T4, X100V, and X-T200 may be announced as soon as February 4. Is Fuji beginning to match Sony’s aggressive release schedule? Will we see some major changes to the successor of the incredibly popular X-T3?

FujiAddict reports that the X-T4 will be ⅓ of an inch thicker and up to 5 oz heavier than its predecessor, also touting 6K 60p with 10-bit internal recording and a fully articulating screen. The larger size would make sense, as the smart money is betting on the X-T4 having in-body image stabilization, one of the few features that videographers felt was missing from the X-T3. It would also accommodate a larger battery, which will be greatly welcomed by Fuji shooters used to carrying a handful of NP-W126S batteries with them, a model that’s been used across a wide range of Fuji bodies for several years now.

Canon’s mirrorless lenses have been quite successful for the company, offering impressive optical quality that sets the bar quite high. However, Canon fans are still waiting for a stronger mirrorless body that pushes the boundaries a bit more from the company. The good news is that it seems that will be changing soon, as the company is likely to release two new mirrorless cameras in the coming months.

The Panasonic S1 is a nicely balanced stills and video camera that brings with it quite a few top-shelf features all packaged in a rugged, versatile, and well-designed body. This great video takes a look at how the camera has held up after using it for almost a year.

With the recent rise of full-frame cinema cameras, it might look like that large sensors are taking over the whole video industry and Super 35 will become the bare minimum. In reality, there is always the right tool for the right job, and often a larger sensor is actually counter-productive. Compact broadcast cameras with smaller sensors still have their use and camera manufacturers want to offer such camcorders for this market segment – albeit it’s admittedly shrinking.

During CES 2020 in Las Vegas, Panasonic announced three new camcorders with small image sensors, but all are capable of 4K 60p recording, H265, and 4:2:2 10-bit internal video in some modes. Let’s take a quick look at what they offer.

Gear, MirrorlessComments Off on Canon Unveils the G1X: A Large Sensor Compact Answer to the Mirrorless Craze

Jan092020

Unlike Nikon, which jumped headfirst into the interchangeable lens mirrorless game last year, Canon appears to be content with simply upping the sensor size in its existing compact cameras. Today the company announces the G1X, a new camera into the G-series line that offers a sensor large enough to compete with existing mirrorless camera systems.

Action cams, GearComments Off on Insta360 Unveils the One R Modular Action Cam ‘Co-Engineered’ with Leica

Jan082020

Insta360 has just revealed the (painfully) teased Insta360 One R “adaptive” action camera. The modular creation was co-engineered with Leica, and features a “unique interchangeable lens design” that lets you swap between modules for standard 4K, 360° video, 5.3K with a 1-inch sensor, and more.

It’s hard to see the Insta360 One R as anything other than a more versatile version of the GoPro Hero 8. While GoPro is showing off their Media Mods with attachable mics and lights at CES 2020, Insta360 just released an even more versatile creation that combines a “core” processing unit with a bunch of very useful modules.

“The concept is simple — one battery, one processor and a selection of quick-swapping lens Mods,” explains Insta360. “In an instant, ONE R transforms from a dual-lens 360 shooter to a standard action cam.”

GearComments Off on Nikon Launches the COOLPIX P950: A Compact, Zoomy Camera to Make Flat Earthers Go Crazy

Jan082020

Nikon has announced the launch of the COOLPIX P950, its latest bridge camera and the dream of every flat earth conspiracy theorist thanks to the 83x optical zoom — and 166x digital zoom — that is somehow wedged into this compact body.

The fixed lens has a range that’s the equivalent of 24-2,000mm on a 35mm camera, offering excellent reach for those keen on distant objects such as birds in flight or cities located on the other side of large lakes. Those seeking to deny the curvature of the earth using woefully naive techniques will be delighted to learn that there’s the bonus of 166x digital zoom, giving the equivalent reach of 4,000mm in 35mm terms.

Cinematography, GearComments Off on Nikon Gets Closer to a Z Mount Trinity by Announcing the NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 Lens

Jan082020

Nikon has announced the launch of the NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S for its full-frame mirrorless cameras, filling one of the two gaping holes in its lens lineup for professional shooters.

Nikon says that this high-end zoom has been “reimagined” in order to exploit the newly designed lens mount. With a constant f/2.8 aperture, it brings Nikon a step closer to completing the trinity of fast zoom lenses that are regarded as critical to any system due to their quality and versatility.

The NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 has a stepping motor for quiet autofocus and reduced focus breathing, a minimum focus distance of just under 20″ (50cm), a nine-blade diaphragm, weather-sealing, and five stops of stabilization. It’s one of two Nikon lenses to feature the company’s newly-developed Short-Wavelength Refractive (SR) lens element for better control of chromatic aberration.

There isn’t exactly a wealth of affordable options when it comes to 24mm prime lenses for Sony full-frame cameras, so Tamron’s new lens is a welcome addition to the line-up, though it does have its idiosyncrasies.

Following on from the success of its two affordable Sony mount zooms made with some smart compromises (the 17-28mm f/2.8 and 28-75mm f/2.8), Tamron has launched a batch of f/2.8 primes. Prior to their release, fans were excited at the prospect of relatively quick glass that was compact and reasonably priced, so when Tamron announced this selection of f/2.8 lenses, there was a degree of disappointment.

In Tamron’s defense, with the 24mm f/2.8 Di III OSD M 1:2, it has released something relatively unique at this focal length. With one notable exception, all of the other options start at more than double the price, albeit with much wider maximum apertures, so if you’re looking for a compact, lightweight, low-cost 24mm prime that’s not going to get anyone excited, the Tamron may be a smart choice.